Jack Draper celebrated becoming the new British No 1 with his first ATP Tour title on Sunday, culminating in a strange awards ceremony involving an e-motorbike as a prize and a bungling speech from a Hugo Boss executive dressed like a white-suited Bond villain.
The 22-year-old left-hander came from behind to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 against a former Wimbledon finalist in Italian Matteo Berrettini at the Boss Open in Stuttgart. It was proof of his progress, having previously been advised by Andy Murray not to ‘rush’ into trying to become a winner.
With this tournament in Germany sponsored by Hugo Boss, the fashion giant’s chief executive Daniel Grieder delivered a speech after Draper’s stylish victory which was confirmed with an ace and earned him a cheque worth £94,636.
It was during that address that Grieder said the prize of a Novus One e-bike was intended for Berrettini – a Hugo Boss poster-boy – as he told the spectators: ‘Unfortunately this bike is for the winner. I covered it in the wrong colours, Matteo. It was actually for you. So we have to do a second bike in the colours of Jack.’
Draper posed on the e-bike for photographs alongside TikToker Khaby Lame and later said in his post-match press conference: ‘It looked too precious to ride, to be honest. I’m not sure how it would look driving down Putney in one of those. But I’ll have to give it a try at some point.’
Jack Draper claimed his first ATP Tour title on Sunday after victory over Matteo Berrettini at the Stuttgart Open
The award ceremony was bizarre and involved Draper sitting on an e-motorbike alongside TikTok star Khaby Lame (right)
Two-time winner Berrettini took the first set against the young Brit before coming unstuck in the final at Stuttgart
Asked what colour he will order it in, Draper answered: ‘I’ll order it in all black like Batman.’
Draper became the new British No 1 earlier this week, taking over from Cameron Norrie after his surprise loss in Nottingham, and this was a highly impressive showing from the Sutton-born southpaw.
He conceded that most onlookers in Stuttgart may have expected Berrettini to triumph as he added on the e-bike being meant for his fellow finalist: ‘They’re confident in their player, you know? He’s an unbelievable player, so good on the grass, one final at Wimbledon, two-time Queen’s winner, two-time winner here – it was probably inevitable that he was going to win. I’m sure they’re disappointed, like Matteo, but it feels good to pull through.’
The nonsense of the ceremony aside, this was a significant win for Draper, the biggest of his career after losing his previous two ATP finals – at the Sofia Open in November 2023 and at the Adelaide International back in January.
‘It’s so important,’ said Draper. ‘I’ve been doing all the right things for a long time now. The results haven’t necessarily shown that. But I’ve been working so hard behind the scenes.
‘It means the world to me. The power of belief, especially in tennis, is a huge thing. This win will give me a massive confidence boost and hopefully I can keep going. I’ve always wanted to be a top player in the world. Hopefully I can be the (British) No 1 for many years to come.’
Draper will immediately fly to London to compete at Queen’s this week ahead of going into Wimbledon as the new British No 1.
